Southern California -- this just in

Slain music producer was working on Christian-themed movie

December 14, 2011 | 7:29
am

Music producer John Atterberry, who was fatally shot by a gunman on a Hollywood street Friday, was working on a Christian-themed movie about spiritual awakening.

There has been an outpouring of tributes to Atterberry from the entertainment industry since his death Monday. The Los Angeles native got his start at Tabu Records, according to a biography on the Facebook page for GridLock Group, where he served as senior partner and chief financial officer.

Early in his career he was a vice president of Death Row Records, which at the time was home to Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He later worked on albums by Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Brandy, the Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson.

Atterberry was producing the independent movie "God's Country," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Atterberry co-wrote the film -- about a businesswoman who finds religion while working on a big deal -- and was shifting more into the movie business, the paper reported.

Atterberry, 40, of Hollywood Hills was driving near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street when he was shot three times in the face and neck by the gunman, later identified by authorities as Tyler Brehm, 26, of Los Angeles.

Brehm repeatedly fired a .40-caliber handgun at motorists, police said. Atterberry's silver Mercedes-Benz coupe was one of several cars Brehm shot at from close range. When police arrived, Brehm screamed that he wanted to die and pointed his weapon at the officers, who shot him.

“I do not understand now nor will I ever is why such a senseless act of violence was inflicted upon such a GOD-fearing, kind, compassionate, loving individual,” the sister, Cynthia Atterberry, said in a posting on Facebook after her brother died Monday.

Rob Dates, a friend, told KTLA that John Atterberry was a kind person who always looked out for him. "I went from a negative to a positive thanks to the help of John," Dates said.

"A lot of people are going to miss John. There are a lot of people who John helped," Atterberry's uncle, Johnnie Adams, told the station.